Magmas & Crusts on Exoplanets

As part of the ASU NExSS project, a five year project funded by the NASA Nexus for Exoplanet System Science, our group is researching the likely composition of exoplanet crusts and mantles in an effort to identify which have the highest potential for detectible life.

To accomplish this goal, we are conducting phase equilibria experiments to determine the relevant mineralogy and melting behavior for bulk compositions relevant to exoplanets. These experiments will be used to develop an extension of the MELTS thermodynamic database for modeling exoplanet crusts and mantles.